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The Karnataka High Court has temporarily suspended a directive from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that prohibited the use of Ashwagandha leaves in health supplements and food products. This interim relief benefits eight specific companies that challenged the FSSAI's clarification, which had stated only Ashwagandha roots and root extracts were permitted.
Legal Challenge to FSSAI Advisory
The FSSAI issued an advisory on April 16, 2026, with a corresponding directive from the Union Health Ministry a day earlier, stipulating that Ashwagandha leaf usage was not allowed in any form. This move was immediately contested by a group of companies, including US-based Kerry Group and its Indian subsidiary, alongside domestic players such as Sami-Sabinsa Group Ltd, K Patel Phyto Extractions Pvt Ltd, SA Herbal Bioactives LLP, Sakti Naturals Pvt Ltd, Unicorn Natural Products Pvt Ltd, OmniActive Health Technologies Ltd, and Konark Herbals and Healthcare Pvt Ltd.
Interim Stay Granted
A vacation bench of the Karnataka High Court, presided over by Justice SR Krishna Kumar, issued a stay on the advisory and directive on May 12, 2026. The court's order specifically noted that the prohibition would be suspended for the petitioners until the next hearing date. The central government and FSSAI retain the right to file applications to have this interim stay modified or vacated.
Impact on Manufacturers
Companies involved in manufacturing products containing Ashwagandha leaves argued that the FSSAI advisory contravened the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. They asserted that any restriction on the use of Ashwagandha leaves would require an amendment to the existing 2016 regulations, not merely an advisory. Furthermore, the petitioners highlighted their long-standing practice of using Ashwagandha leaves in their products for over three decades, contending that the FSSAI's directive infringes upon their constitutional right to conduct business. The case is slated for its next hearing on June 8, 2026.